Holiday overview

Meet other musicians and singers and have fun making music. We’ll perform a variety of pieces, specially selected by our leaders. For the orchestra you'll need at least Grade IV standard and have some experience of playing as a group. String players should have fluency in position changing and clarinettists will need either A or B-flat instruments. Singers will need sight-reading ability. This holiday also offers optional guided afternoon walks.

Holiday highlights:

Play with other enthusiastic string, wind, brass and percussion players or sing with other soprano, alto, tenor or bass singers

A range of music will be worked on, from light-hearted to serious

Optional guided walks each afternoon

Great reasons to join us

Great value: all prices include Full Board en-suite accommodation, plus all activities

Expert leader: we carefully select friendly and knowledgeable leaders for each holiday

Sociability: we pride ourselves on the social atmosphere of our holidays – make music together, eat together and relax together

Accommodation

Retaining its 19th century grandeur Newfield Hall is our most stately Country House. With excellent accommodation and facilities it is also our most popular location for walking and leisure activity holidays.

Bedrooms

Newfield Hall has 48 bedrooms located either in the main building or in the tastefully converted coach house.

Our classic bedrooms offer comfortable accommodation and an en-suite bathroom with bath or shower. They also have TV, hairdryer, and tea and coffee making facilities. Single rooms are available for an extra £8 per night.

You can enjoy extra space or exceptional views plus additional facilities including a towelling robe and complimentary slippers when you upgrade to a premium bedroom. Premium rooms are available at just £5 extra per person per night.

If you are travelling with your family, we have a selection of 3 and 4-bedded family bedrooms. These have all the facilities of our classic rooms plus full sized twin or double beds for adults and bunk beds or occasional beds for children.

All holidays at our Country Houses are Full Board with all meals included, from dinner on arrival to breakfast on the day of your departure.

Start your day with our extensive breakfast. Choose from a wide selection on the cold buffet and/or a full cooked breakfast. Maybe enjoy a lighter option of fruit and yoghurt followed by scrambled egg, go for porridge followed by a full English breakfast, or select something in between.

Choose from our famous self-select picnic lunches - everything you need to keep you going on a day outdoors. Your own choice of sandwiches is prepared to order, and you can add crisps and snacks, fruit, nuts, chocolate bars, sweets and biscuits as you wish.

The relaxed dinner is a highlight of any stay at our Country Houses. With tables seating up to 10 and no seating plan, it offers a great opportunity to get to know your fellow guests. There is always a choice of dishes for every course, featuring good British cooking and often local specialities. A vegetarian option is always available.

All our Country Houses have a well-stocked bar serving local beers, wine and spirits.

Guided Walking: enjoy a glass of wine or local beer in the bar before a talk about the next day's walks. After dinner there will be an activity or entertainment which you will be welcome to join. These vary from week to week but could include a talk talk on local history from a visiting speaker or a team quiz. Alternatively if you prefer, feel free to just relax in our lounge or bar.

Leisure Activities: many of our Leisure Activities holidays continue into the evening with programmed sessions. Other holidays will have the evenings free, and you will be welcome to join in other social activities that may be happening in the house.

Family holidays: our activity leaders are on hand to organise children’s activities and games for younger children before dinner. These could include rounders, outdoor games, or crafts. After dinner there are further activities for the whole family.

Self-Guided Walking: there may be evening social activities happening in the house during your holiday, and you will be most welcome to join in. However, not all self-guided holidays will have evening activities available – if these are important to you, please check before booking.

Newfield Hall is fully accessible to wheelchair users and has a bedroom specifically designed for wheelchair access.

Arrival & car parking facilities

On arrival there is a long driveway with one speed bump on entering a large car park, with a lower level parking area sloping at approx. 20 degrees up to main parking area

The surface of the car park is tarmac, with marked parking bays

The House fronts directly onto the car park

It is possible to load and unload cars directly at the front door

Assistance can be provided with luggage

Main entrance & reception

Main entrance has 2 steps, each step being 15cm high and a short porch (with one step of 15cm high), which leads to the front door, (3¾ft wide)

There is a permanent wheelchair ramp (5¼ft wide) to the left hand side of the entrance way, providing access to the porch. A temporary ramp can then be provided to allow access in through the front door

After entering the house, all the facilities are available without encountering any further steps

The flooring is tile / short pile carpet

Public areas - hall, stairs, landing, corridors etc

All internal doors are fire doors and they are all 97cm wide (except where separate measurements have been given)

The minimum width of the corridor is 10½ft

The staircase to the upper bedrooms is 5ft wide. In total there are 29 steps, each being 6 inches high

Public areas - sitting room, lounges, lobbies etc

There are two large lounges with wooden fire doors. Short pile carpet flooring and good lighting throughout. The size of the lounges:

Whernside lounge 17ft x 23ft

Inglebrough lounge 30ft x 20ft

Pen-y-Ghent room 29ft x 18ft

Public WCs

There is one public toilet on the ground floor available from the entrance hall with no steps

Toilet seat height is 41cm, the basin is 82cm high with no underspace and with 2 taps

There are 2 toilets in the swimming pool changing rooms, again with no steps

Dining room & bar

From the entrance hall, there is a 320 cm wide corridor leading to the dining room. Door width 92cm

There are no steps to the dining room

Seats and tables are movable. The tables are round with 4 legs. Each table is 76cm high

All meals served are with waitress service.

Special diets catered for, but should be advised pre or on arrival

Leisure facilities

Indoor swimming pool and the changing rooms are directly off the function room, accessed from the entrance hall down a corridor, which is 3ft 2 inches wide.

The floor in the changing room is tiled

Access to the shower in the changing room is over a step of 7cm in height

The width of the door to the pool is 87cm

Within the pool area, there is 1 alarm, a rescue hook and 2 life buoys

The size of the pool is 16ft x 25ft

Bedrooms

Room 15

Room 15 has been specifically designed for wheelchair users.

This room is off the main entrance hall on the ground floor, approximately 12m from the permanent ramp

Level entry shower, designed for wheelchair users. Support rail and pull down shower seat, which is 50cm high and 32cm x 32cm in seat area

Basin height is 73cm with underspace

Available floor space in the bathroom is 2m x 2m

Other Bedrooms

The rest of the rooms are a mixture of singles, twins and doubles

The rooms are located either in the main house or in the tastefully converted coach houses, both on the ground floor and the first floor

All rooms have en-suite bathrooms, most with shower. A few rooms have a bath

Grounds and gardens

There is well lit access to the patio area through double doors from the dining room / function room with no steps

Ramp from the patio to gain access to the grounds

Garden is level in most parts, with a few steps. Mainly grass with plenty of wooden seats

Additional information

Fire procedure is displayed in each room and explained to guests on arrival. Guests requiring assistance at an evacuation are identified at this time and door hanger cards are issued

Mobile phone reception is generally good from the main building

Assistance dogs accompanying visually or hearing impaired guests are welcome; dogs must be kept on a lead or harness at all times

Information can be provided in large print

Staff have received disability awareness training

Special diets can be catered for. Specialist food can be obtained with prior notice

Hired equipment can be arranged for your stay with prior notice

Fridge for medication can be supplied

Itinerary

Arrival day: You can check in to your room from 2.30pm onwards. Please join us for afternoon tea at 4pm. All guests are invited – we’ll introduce your leader and welcome you to your holiday. After dinner enjoy your first music session.

Other days:

9.30am – 12.30pm: Music activity with a break for coffee

1.30pm - 5.30pm: Optional guided walk, or guests are welcome to relax in the Country House or explore the local area independently

After dinner: Music activity

Free day:

This 7-night holidays include a Free Day on Tuesday for you to relax in the Country House or explore the local area

Departure day: Depart after a leisurely breakfast

What to bring

Please bring the instrument/s you wish to play. Clarinettists will need an ‘A’ and a ‘B flat’ clarinet if possible. Music stands and all music for the week will be provided. To ensure that we have the right music to cover all abilities, experience and instruments, please complete the pre-holiday questionnaire. During the week there will be an an informal concert; if you would like to play something at this, please bring some music for a ‘party piece’ - eg one or two solos/duets/trios, etc.

To enjoy your walking comfortably and safely, it is essential that your footwear, clothing and equipment are suitable for the conditions likely to be encountered. Britain is famous for its changeable weather, so our advice is to come prepared for all eventualities. Please bring a rucksack, a thermos flask for a hot drink, a water bottle (at least 1 litre) and first aid kit – your leader’s first aid kit doesn’t contain any medication or blister kits (such as Compeed).

Local area

Discover the Yorkshire Dales

Newfield Hall sits in rolling open countryside. The nearest village with facilities is Gargrave where there is a pub and shop. The market town of Skipton is about seven miles away. Here you’ll find a full range of facilities including supermarkets, shops, banks, chemists, pubs and cafes.

During your visit to the Newfield Hall you may enjoy visiting the following places of interest:

Malham CoveJust 10 to 15 minutes' drive from Newfield Hall is the dramatic Malham Cove, just one of the iconic limestone sights of the Yorkshire Dales. If you are not visiting the cove as part of your holiday, it's well worth making the short walk from the village.

SkiptonThe market town of Skipton, about 20 minutes' drive from Newfield Hall is a vibrant place to visit. Dominating the the town is its well-preserved medieval castle. www.skiptoncastle.co.uk

Brontë ParsonageVisit the parsonage in Haworth, the home of authors Charlotte, Emily and Anne Brontë. Many of their most famous works were written here, including Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights and the Tenant of Wildfell Hall. Haworth is around 45 minutes' drive from Newfield Hall. www.bronte.org.uk

Keighley and Worth Valley RailwayThis preserved steam railway runs from the centre of Keighley to Oxenhope via the ‘Brontë’ village of Haworth. The line is still well-known as the setting for the 1970 film ‘the Railway Children’ and boasts an impressive selection of steam locomotives. Keighley station is around 35 minutes' drive from Newfield Hall. www.kwvr.co.uk

Settle to Carlisle RailwayRide England’s most scenic railway through the Yorkshire Dales from Hellifield or Settle station. Heading north over the iconic Ribblehead viaduct you could head to the small market town of Appleby, or the border city of Carlisle. www.settle-carlisle.co.uk

Fountains AbbeyThis impressive World Heritage Site contains the dramatic ruins of Fountains Abbey, the largest monastic ruins in the country. There is an exhibition of life in the medieval Abbey. Adjacent to the abbey is Studley Royal water garden – England’s most spectacular Georgian water garden.

White Scar CaveLocated near the village of Ingleton, about 40 minutes' drive from Newfield Hall, White Scar is Britain’s longest show cave. The underground tour reveals spectacular caverns, waterfalls and stalactites. www.whitescarcave.co.uk

RHS Harlow Carr GardenSituated near Harrogate, about 50 minutes' from Newfield Hall, are the Royal Horticultural Society's gardens at Harlow Carr. The gardens have been planted to suit the challenging growing conditions of the north. Wander and enjoy the tranquil surroundings. www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/harlow-carr

Lightwater ValleySet in 175 acres of parkland near Ripon, just over an hour's drive away, Lightwater Valley has big thrill rides including the ‘Ultimate’, the longest rollercoaster in Europe. The park has over 40 rides and is fantastic fun for all the family. www.lightwatervalley.co.uk

Travel

Travel to Malhamdale

By train:

The nearest train station is at Skipton. For train times and general rail enquiries visit www.nationalrail.co.uk or call 03457 484950 (from outside the UK call +44 20 7278 5240).

HF station transfer - great value!

Our station transfer operates every Friday and Monday between Skipton station and Newfield Hall. The pickup is at 4.10pm from Skipton station. On departure day the transfer will get you back to Skipton station by 9.35am. This transfer costs just £10 return, however a place must be reserved in advance by calling 0345 470 7558.

By taxi:

If you can’t meet our station transfer, the 8½ mile journey from Skipton to Newfield Hall can be made by taxi. pre-booked taxis cost approx £15 per journey. Details of our current recommended taxi company and rates will be sent to you with your booking. The return taxi journey can be arranged on your behalf by the Newfield Hall Manager.

By car:

From the south, follow the A65 from Skipton to Gargrave. Leave the A65 by Eshton Road, signposted to Malham and pass Eshton Hall on the right. Newfield Hall is approx 2½ miles further on, on the right and before the village of Airton. Look out for our sign.

From the north, exit the M6 at junction 36 and take the A65 towards Skipton. In Coniston Cold village take a sharp left into a narrow road between houses, signposted to St Peters Church and Bell Busk and Malham. Pass under a railway viaduct, then after a mile bear right over a small bridge. After a further mile turn right at the junction, cross the narrow bridge then shortly after turn left through the gateway onto the drive of Newfield Hall. Look out for our sign.

Leaders

Judith Wallace - Holiday leader

Judithhas been leading Singing, Music Making and Opera & Festival holidays for HF Holidays since 1998. Prior to this she had a long career in primary and further education where she specialised in music and drama. She conducts two orchestras, an operatic society, a clarinet choir and a concert band- all of which she enjoys immensely. When not conducting Judith plays clarinet in orchestras, bands and chamber groups and she also enjoys going to concerts, plays and operas. She enjoys passing on her enjoyment to others and encouraging all guests to have a worthwhile musical experience.

Carole Readman - Choir leader

Carole has amazing passion and energy for singing, having been a music teacher all her life. She runs the weekly Weighton Waytes Choir with 60+ plus members, ranging from 18 to 98 years old. Carole composes music every day and believes singing is a life-enhancing activity. Enjoy Carole’s choir and feel exhilarated.

John Boxall - Accompanist

John is a very experienced and enthusiast accompanist who has been involved with HF Holidays for over 25 years. He knows the score when it comes to playing the piano for your Singing and Music Making holidays. His vast experience, quick wit and love of music will have you singing new pieces faster than you can say Do Re Mi. John is the Musical Director for his local Hornsea Amateur Theatre Society, and plays regularly for local schools and other theatre societies, as well as being the organist as his local church.

Nicola Bates - Strings leader

Nicola Bates completed her performance studies at the RSAMD in 2005, graduating with a BA Hons degree and Advanced Education. During her final year she won the John McInnulty Prize for Orchestral String Playing.

Orchestras she works with include the LPO, RLPO, Brighton Philharmonic, Cinematic Sinfonia, English Chamber Orchestra, St Pauls Sinfonia, British Sinfonietta, Opera de Bauge, Liceu Opera, Orchestra of St Pauls and Dartington International Festival Orchestra.

Principal positions include Leader of the Hokusai Orchestra, Dartington Festival Orchestra, Sussex Symphony and The European Opera Centre. She is co-leader of the British Sinfonietta and Cinematic Sinfonia.

Nicola also plays in many smaller ensembles and performs regularly with Opera Room productions, Mountview College of Dramatic Arts, The Herschel Quartet and Brighton Chamber Ensemble.

Reviews

Date & Rating

Customer Review

HF Holidays says

28 Aug 2015, 10:05 a.m.

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A wide choice of activities with like-minded people in lovely accommodation with excellent food.

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An enjoyable holiday in beautiful surroundings with like-minded people. A particularly bright and positive young conductor of the orchestra, skilled and professional, who gave encouragement to amateurs in a wide variety of music.

27 Aug 2015, 10:51 a.m.

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I have been on two HF holidays and enjoyed the company, activities and food at both of them

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Newfield Hall is a perfect venue. The food was excellent and the staff very helpful.

27 Aug 2015, 9:11 a.m.

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You would have to try not to enjoy an HF holiday.

26 Aug 2015, 5:25 p.m.

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Excellent holiday. Music activities very well runs and afternoon walks were varied and well led.

26 Aug 2015, 11:38 a.m.

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I would recommend HF to others

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Very well managed both in the hotel and for the Music-making activities

26 Aug 2015, 8:55 a.m.

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All very good

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Very good

26 Aug 2015, 7:46 a.m.

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Always helpful staff, good organisation of activities. Good choice of food, well prepared.

26 Aug 2015, 7:32 a.m.

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Newfield Hall is well appointed clean and very comfortable. The food is excellent and as a vegetarian I was particularly impressed with the excellent vegetarian meals provided. They were the best I have ever had at HF. After two days I discovered the salad bar lunch option which after all those of big meals was very welcome.

My only complaint about the catering was the tea. I don't drink coffee. The tea at breaks seemed very weak and looked rather grey. There was one huge teapot with just five tea bags in it. I was wondering if the poor tea was due to the local hard water or something like that but when we had a pot of tea in a pub in Malham it was the first time I had a good brew. (That was Taylor's Yorkshire Tea.) It was a good colour and full flavour.

In many places these days I find coffee seems to be regarded as more important than making tea properly. I don't know if you are using catering tea bags but in general the tea at meals seemed similarly unsatisfying. Maybe use better quality tea bags?

Product review:

I was on the choral part of an orchestra and choir holiday. A good range of choral music of all sorts and some of the choral works were done with input from different musicians.

A good week but from what I have heard the numbers for this singing part of the holiday have reduced over the years. We had about only about 16 people with choral singing part. A few more people in each part would be very helpful but that is out of your control.

I would have liked more of a "warm up" before singing.

(I booked here again for choral singing in November before I booked this break.)